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Have you got your £150 Warm Home Discount?

Last verified 5 Jun 2026 · Source DESNZ + Ofgem

The Warm Home Discount Scheme gives a £150 credit on your winter electricity bill if you're on a low income or get certain benefits. About 2.7 million UK households claim it, but hundreds of thousands of eligible homes miss it — usually because they assume they don't qualify or because they need to apply in Scotland and don't.

£150Credit on winter electricity bill
2.7MUK households claiming
Oct–MarDiscount applied
0800 030 9322Warm Home Discount helpline
How do I claim? See what else I'm missing

Who is eligible?

Eligibility rules are different in England & Wales versus Scotland.

England & Wales

Two groups qualify:

  • Core Group 1 — you (or your partner) get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. You're eligible regardless of your home's energy cost.
  • Core Group 2 — you receive certain means-tested benefits (Universal Credit with low earnings, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit on a low income, etc.) AND your home has a high energy cost score. The score is calculated automatically by the government from your property characteristics (size, fuel type, build date).

If you're in Core Group 1, you receive a letter automatically — usually between October and December — telling you the discount will be applied. If you're in Core Group 2, you also receive a letter automatically.

Scotland

The Scottish scheme is run by each supplier individually. You typically must apply directly to your energy supplier, usually between summer and early autumn. Each supplier has their own eligibility criteria.

Critical — check by mid-December If you think you qualify and haven't received a letter by mid-December, call 0800 030 9322. They confirm eligibility and arrange the discount.

How to claim

Claim it now — free

Have ready: in England & Wales it's automatic if you qualify — call only if no letter arrives by December. In Scotland, apply direct through your energy supplier.

  1. Pension Credit Guarantee recipients — you don't need to do anything in England & Wales. You should get a letter by December. If you don't, call 0800 030 9322.
  2. On other means-tested benefits in England & Wales — same. The DWP and DESNZ identify eligible homes automatically using benefits and property data.
  3. In Scotland — check your energy supplier's website in summer/early autumn and apply directly. Common suppliers and their application windows:

How the discount arrives

  • If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of bill — the £150 appears as a credit on your electricity account between October and March.
  • If you have a prepayment meter — the £150 is sent as a top-up voucher (usually by post or text message).
  • If you have a dual-fuel tariff — the discount applies to the electricity portion only.

What else you could be missing

If you qualify for Warm Home Discount, you may also qualify for:

  • Cold Weather Payment — £25 for each week of very cold weather (December to March) if you're on certain benefits. Paid automatically.
  • Winter Fuel Payment — £200–£300 (low-income pensioners only as of 2024/25)
  • Energy supplier hardship funds — British Gas, EDF, Octopus and others run charity-funded hardship grants for severely struggling customers
  • Pension Credit — if you receive Warm Home Discount via Core Group 2 and are over State Pension age, you may also qualify for Pension Credit worth thousands more

Warm Home Discount — common questions

Who is eligible for Warm Home Discount?

In England and Wales, you are automatically eligible if you receive the Guarantee element of Pension Credit (Core Group 1), OR you receive certain other means-tested benefits AND your home has a high energy cost score (Core Group 2). The high-energy-cost score is calculated automatically from your address. In Scotland, eligibility differs by supplier.

How much is Warm Home Discount in 2025/26?

£150 — applied as a credit to your electricity bill between October and March. Some suppliers credit it as one lump sum, others spread it. If you pay by prepayment meter, the £150 arrives as vouchers.

How do I claim Warm Home Discount?

In England and Wales, most eligible households are identified automatically — you receive a letter. If you receive Pension Credit Guarantee and have NOT had a letter by mid-December, call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. In Scotland, you must apply directly to your energy supplier.

Which suppliers offer Warm Home Discount?

All large UK energy suppliers must offer it: British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus, OVO, Scottish Power, Shell Energy, Utility Warehouse and others. Smaller suppliers with fewer than 1,000 customers are exempt.

Can I get Warm Home Discount if I'm on a prepayment meter?

Yes. If you pay by prepayment meter, the £150 is sent as a top-up voucher rather than a bill credit. Make sure your supplier has your correct address.

Related guides

Sources Warm Home Discount Scheme · GOV.UK Warm Home Discount. Eligibility · GOV.UK eligibility rules. Helpline 0800 030 9322 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm). Last reviewed: May 2026.

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